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NCL rugby students charging ahead with Glasgow Warriors

Sport students turned professional rugby players have hit the ground running following completion of their course at New College Lanarkshire.

Four former New College Lanarkshire students are currently on the Glasgow Warriors squad – one of two professional rugby squads in Scotland.

Rory Hughes, Grant Stewart, Hamilton Burr and Lewis Wynne all recently completed various sports courses at the College’s specialist sports campus, Broadwood, and are now signed with the professional team.

Rory Hughes, 24, from Glasgow completed NC Rugby Performance in 2013 and began as a fully contracted player with Glasgow Warriors in 2012. Not just a success in Scotland, Rory has also played internationally as part of the Scottish team, debuting in Italy against Turin in 2015.

Playing alongside Rory is Lewis Wynne, 20, from Falkirk, who completed HNC Health, Fitness & Exercise in 2016. Lewis has also had an impressive rugby career following his time at college, being selected for the World Rugby Under-20 Championship squad and going onto start with the Warriors in 2016.

The pair have now been joined by a further two former students with the signing of 22-year-old Grant Stewart from Carluke who completed the Level 6 Rugby Performance programme in 2015 before commencing the HNC Fitness, Health and Exercise course, and 21-year-old Hamilton Burr from Stirling who completed HND Coaching and Developing Sport this year.

Welcomed to the team as part of the BT Sport Rugby Academy, the pair were selected for the programme after having their sporting talent recognised while at college and playing with their amateur teams.

Held within the College’s Broadwood Campus, the academy allows players the opportunity to play with a professional team while focussing on three pillars of player development – high performance behaviours, rugby skills and athletic capacity.

Grant and Hamilton already boast impressive rugby careers having represented Scotland in various age grades. Through their ongoing training with Glasgow Warriors and BT Sport Rugby Academy, the pair are hoped to continue their professional success – both at home and internationally.

Ally Breton, New College Lanarkshire lecturer and coach, said: “It is fantastic to hear how our students are performing after college, and to see four of our guys now in professional rugby is a fantastic testament to the skills we provide here and the dedication of the students to reach their goals.

“All four of them were incredibly committed and driven students so I am not surprised at how successful they have become since completing their course. They are an inspiration to our current and future students who can see first-hand what can be achieved following completion of their course.

“It’s satisfying to know that the sports courses we are running at New College Lanarkshire are breeding the next generation of sports stars.”

New College Lanarkshire offers various sports courses at its specialist sports campus including the NQ Rugby Performance programme.

The course aims to develop technical, tactical and specialist skills whilst also progressing athletic development and includes theoretical and practical work along with demonstrations and guest lecturers.